Q The President -- on another issue, the President resubmitted 30
judges, I think it is, the Democratic Senate either refused to consider
or refused to confirm. And people around he describe that as a decision
by the President that he believes he was right and he wants his
nominees given another chance in the Republican Senate. Why not do the
same thing with Otto Reich? Why instead give him a presidential job
that does not require Senate confirmation? Why not resubmit his
nomination?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President thought that the ideal place for
Otto Reich would be here as part of the National Security Council.
There are many people who work for the National Security Council who
the President has to make a decision about. Does he want to have their
expertise right here within the building, or does the President want to
have their expertise at a different agency that would require Senate
confirmation? So it's a different judgment about different
individuals.

Dr. Rice, for example, of course, she works here for the National
Security Council. There was no question of Senate process or Senate
confirmation. His judgment was, he wants her advice right here close in
the White House. Same thing with Mr. Reich.

Q It's not a calculation to avoid a political appointment?

MR. FLEISCHER: It was principally because of what I just outlined.
Obviously, there would have been some other issues that would have been
raised, had a nomination gone to the Senate. But the principal reason
was because of just what I outlined.

Q I'd like to go back to John's question about Otto Reich. In the case
of the judicial nominees, the opposition is coming exclusively from
Democrats. In the case of Reich, the opposition was coming from a very
senior Republican, Senator Lugar, who is Chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee. Did that difference influence the President's
thinking?

MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I indicated the principal reason was because
the President wanted his expertise here. I never ruled out that there
could have been other factors, as well. And it's always important to
gauge the inclinations of the Senate. And those are the reasons.

Q So Senator Lugar's weighing did have an influence, did have
effect?

MR. FLEISCHER: It's always important to be cognizant of the
sentiment of the Senate and to see how widespread it may or may not
be.

Q Ari, a couple of Senators, including Tom Daschle, have indorsed the
filibuster to block the -- any kind of a vote on Judge Pickering. Would
the President drop that nomination if it appeared that it was blocking
progress on other aspects of his agenda?

MR. FLEISCHER: It's hypothetical. I think it's important to let the
role of the Senate take place. It's unfortunate if people are already,
on the second day of the Congress, talking about filibustering. The
President would hope that wouldn't be the case. But the process is just
beginning. The Judiciary Committee will begin its work on this
nomination as well as all nominations.